E. Subdural haematoma – Explanation
| Fluctuating confusion/consciousness? – subdural haematoma |
This patient has a number of risk factors for a subdural haematoma including old age, alcoholism
and anticoagulation. Korsakoff’s syndrome and Wernicke’s encephalopathy do not usually cause
headaches.
Head injury
Types of traumatic brain injury:
| Extradural (epidural) haematoma |
Bleeding into the space between the dura mater and the skull. Often results from acceleration-deceleration trauma or a blow to the side of the head. The majority of epidural haematomas occur in the temporal region where skull fractures cause a rupture of the middle meningeal artery. Features
|
| Subdural haematoma |
Bleeding into the outermost meningeal layer. Most commonly occur around the frontal and parietal lobes. Risk factors include old age, alcoholism and anticoagulation. Slower onset of symptoms than a epidural haematoma |
| Subarachnoid haemorrhage |
Usually occurs spontaneously in the context of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm but may be seen in association with other injuries when a patient has sustained a traumatic brain injury |
